Dear Amole,
I'm afraid that this is not possible. An adult, who would like be a
British citizen, must have lived there for a certain period (3-5
years). Health and retirement benefits are also not guaranteed to
those who don't live permanently in the UK. For example "Treatment
under the National Health Service (NHS) is normally only available to
permanent residents of the United Kingdom. Most Britons living abroad
who return on a temporary visit to the UK will be expected to pay
privately for all treatment other than of an emergency nature."
(Source: British Social Security Benefits,
http://www.uk.emb.gov.au/CARRIERS/socsec.html)
There are three main ways for an adult to become British:
(1) Marriage to a British Citizen - in this case, in order to get a
British citizen, you have to live with your spouse at least 3 years in
the UK prior to getting the citizenship. If your spouse is overseas as
part of a crown service (that is, official duty), there are special
regulations that apply.
(2) If you come from a British overseas territory, or you are a
British protected person; you may apply to register as British
citizens if they meet the requirements that include "If the child is a
British overseas territories citizen (see Note 3), British Overseas
citizen, British subject under the 1981 Act, British protected person,
or British National (Overseas), he or she will be entitled to
registration as a British citizen if he or she lives legally in the
United Kingdom for 5 years. He or she must not be absent during those
5 years for more than 450 days and must not be absent during the last
12 months of those 5 years for more than 90 days. There is no time
limit for applying.
If the child is not entitled to registration in the circumstances
described above, it may still be possible to register the child as a
British citizen. Registration, in this case, would be at the Home
Secretary's discretion". (BN1: Information about British citizenship
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=145)
"British overseas territories citizens (except by connection only with
the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus) can also
be registered at the Home Secretary's discretion as long as they have
not previously renounced British citizenship.
In certain circumstances, people can also apply to register as British
citizens if they are stateless or if they have previously renounced
British citizenship."
(BN1: Information about British citizenship
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=145)
(3) Naturalisation: You must have lived in the UK for 5 years.
"Foreign nationals may apply for certificates of naturalisation. This
also applies to Commonwealth citizens and Irish citizens. Applicants
must:
Have lived legally in the United Kingdom for five years (the last year
should have been free of any time limit);
Be 18 or over;
Not be of unsound mind;
Be of good character;
Have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
(depending on their age and physical and mental condition); and
Stay closely connected with the United Kingdom."
(BN1: Information about British citizenship
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=145)
Sites for Further Reading
=========================
BN1: Information about British citizenship
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=145
UK Immigration - a law office with some information
http://www.ukimmigration.co.uk/BECOMINGBRITISH.htm
UK Visas - www.ukvisas.gov.uk/
Immigration Advisory Service - www.iasuk.org/
Refugee Council - www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants - www.jcwi.org.uk/
The United Kingdom Passport Service - www.ukpa.gov.uk/
Immigration Law Practitioners' Association - www.ilpa.org.uk/
Advice Guide on Immigration -
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_rights/immigration.htm
I hope that answered (alas, negatively) you question. If this is of
any comfort to you, you might want to know that some places in the UK
are not as expensive as the notorious Greater London area. My search
terms were mostly based on knowledge (the IND site). However, I also
searched the web for terms such as "British citizenship". Please
contact me if you need any clarifications on this answer. I'd be
pleased to clarify my answer before you rate it. |
